The Guide to the Scriptures

Serpent, Brazen

A brass serpent made by Moses at God’s command to heal the Israelites who had been bitten by fiery serpents (poisonous snakes) in the wilderness (Num. 21:8–9). This brass serpent was attached to a pole and “raised up that whosoever would look upon it might live” (Alma 33:19–22). The Lord referred to the lifting up of the serpent in the wilderness as a symbol of himself being lifted up on the cross (John 3:14–15). Latter-day revelation confirms the account of the fiery serpents and how the people were healed (1 Ne. 17:41; 2 Ne. 25:20; Hel. 8:14–15).